This work is a comprehensive look at our most precious resource. With its broad coverage of the history of water availability and use, as well as government development, management, and policy of water usage, Thomas Cech's "Principles of Water Resources, Second Edition" is ideal for students from a wide range of backgrounds. Throughout the text, interesting sidebars, policy issues, and closer looks at past and present examples of water use bring the material to life. Now updated and revised, this Second Edition features a new chapter on the economics of water, revised maps and photos, a new boxed feature titled Our Environment, a new guest essay on desalination by Dr. Fares Howari of United Arab Emirates University, and more. The features include: rich in content; comprehensive in scope; straightforward, engaging style; case studies; attractive photos and maps; numerous sidebar discussions; international perspective; extensive definitions; discussion questions; chapter-by-chapter glossary; Internet links; multidisciplinary approach. Visit the accompanying website for: line art in PowerPoint; sample exams; and student research papers.